Utah State basketball: Aggies have plenty to play for

LOGAN — There are goals every team sets before the first tipoff. Typically those goals include playing hard, getting better and taking the season one game at a time.

And, for any team that has much self esteem at all, a conference championship is at the top of the list.

Utah State, with a win Monday night against Fresno State in the Spectrum, will secure at least a share of its third consecutive Western Athletic Conference regular season title. That accomplishment is not lost on Aggie coach Stew Morrill.

"Certainly finding a way to get our third straight WAC championship," Morrill said, "would be pretty special."

Utah State has more than just a conference title to work on.

Though Morrill and his team likely won't comment on it, the Aggies have won 13 games in a row and are steadily climbing the RPI standings, moving farther away from the NCAA Tournament bubble and are even on the verge of breaking into the national Top 25 polls — USU was No. 29 in the USA Today/ESPN coaches poll last week.

"These are exciting times for us," Morrill said, "and I hope for our fans."

Sitting at 23-6 overall and 12-2 in the WAC, Utah State won't win or lose the outright title tonight. That will have to wait until Saturday when second-place New Mexico State comes to the Spectrum for what is shaping up to be an all-important battle for the top seed in the conference tournament.

But tonight's game is still huge for the Aggies.

A win is another step toward a more favorable seed in the NCAA tourney should USU advance. A loss could very well mean most of the regular season was little more than a four month long warmup for the WAC's 3-day tournament in Reno next weekend.

Fresno State (14-16, 6-8) is a dangerous team loaded with talented players. But an injury or two and a little too much individual play has hurt ex-BYU coach Steve Cleveland's Bulldogs throughout the season.

FSU is coming off a dreadful shooting performance against San Jose State, a 72-45 loss, and Morrill isn't looking forward to what the Bulldogs might bring to the Spectrum.

"I'm sure they are going to bounce back and play better," Morrill said. "Obviously, they have enough talent to beat anybody."

They'll also want a little retribution against the Aggies. When the two schools last met, on Jan. 21 at the Save Mart Center, Utah State drubbed the Bulldogs 69-43.

In that game, Utah State's defense was in top form and Morrill said he's hoping to see a similar effort tonight.

"Our defense was real solid," Morrill said. "Hopefully we can understand that that's what it's going to take to win."

The Aggies will again turn to junior wings Pooh Williams and Tyler Newbold to slow down FSU's Paul George.

Do that and Utah State will be WAC champions — again.

Aggies on the air

USU (23-6, 12-2 WAC) vs. Fresno St. (14-16, 6-8)

Smith Spectrum, Logan

Monday, 7 p.m.

TV: none

Radio: 610 AM, 1230 AM, 95.9 FM

e-mail: jeborn@desnews.com